Cadres of UGs under SOO extorting money from truckers – MLA Lokeshwor

Imphal, Feb 13: Armed cadres of militants who are under suspension of operation with the government and also some cadres of NSCN-IM which is presently undergoing peace talk with the government of India are openly collecting illegal taxes from trucks carrying construction materials at Yaingangpokpi area. This was stated by Congress MLA Th. Lokeshwor moving cut motion to the passing of the demand for grant for police department.

The Congress MLA said that these armed militant openly threatened the truck drivers of serious consequences if the amount demanded by them which is not legal is not given to them. The drivers out of fear paid it. Most surprising thing is that these cadres whom identified themselves as cadres of UGs under SOO and NSCN-IM collected the illegal taxes in the close proximity of police station.

MLA Lokeshwor also said that even though the government had stated time and again about the improvement of law and order conditions, people particularly from his constituency (Khundrakpam) now fear as they saw armed gun men in civil dress travelling many times in four wheeler vehicles.

On the other hand the Congress MLA also brought up certain issues of police or paramilitary forces threatening ex cadres of UGs who had surrendered and started normal life by staying at their home.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh while clarifying the cut motion said that so far government had no order issued which allowed security personnel to travel with arms in civil dress. He however said that on some special occasion security sometime needs to go in civil dress. In such case police station were informed.

Regarding the matter of SOO cadres extorting money from truckers, the Chief Minister, who is also in charge of Home said that such matter will be dealt with extra seriousness and appealed members to report either to the DGP or to the government if any such thing happened. The CM also asserted legal action if any persons who are leading normal life are threatened.